Article handling apparatus



Sept. 26, 1944. R. P. WOOD I ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18. 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. RA VMOND P. WOOD A TORNEV Sept. 26, 1944.

R. P. WOOD ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed 001;. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III INVENTOR.

RAYMOND P. WOOD AT TORNEY Patented Sept. 26, 1944 U N IT E D STATES iAT E N T O F F] CE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to an article handling apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus adapted to be used in connection with the moving of large boxes, refrigerators, stoves and the like, and provides as its main object a novel apparatus which permits easy and safe handling of large and bulky objects.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a novel means for placing and holding a set of dollies beneath an article to be moved.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel means by which the ends of a large and bulky object may be raised in order to place a dolly beneath said object.

A further object of my invention .is to provide .a' novel transportable unit.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel article handling apparatus which is light in weight and compact so as to permit easy storing when the apparatus is not in use.

Other and further important objects and the advantages of my invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification, appended claims, and in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the apparatus of this invention as used in connection with an article to be transported and showing the apparatus in the position it occupies prior to the placing of the dollies beneath the article;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the dollies beneath the article;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the'apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing an alternate arrangement of my invention, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational'view of the alternate arrangement of my invention as illustrated in, and taken on line 'I-'I, of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I have shown my invention as embodied in an article handling apparatus which is indicated generally at ID. As shown the apparatus may be used in connection with an article such as a box B although it will be understood that the apparatus may be used with large and bulky articles such as refrigerators, stoves, etc.

The apparatus II] consists of two frames C and D which are arranged at opposite ends or opposite sides of the article to be moved. Each mem ber C and. D includes spaced, vertical channel members I I and I2. The upper ends of the memhers I! and I2 are connected by a cross member I 3 and their lower ends are connected by a member I4. The member I4 is shown as an angle having one side forwardly projecting to form a step portion. Spaced intermediate the members I3 and I4 I provide a channelled brace member I5.

In use one end of the box B is raised and the step portion of the member I4 is slipped thereunder and the box is then lowered. Thereafter the step portion on the other frame is slipped beneath the other end of the box.

Attached to the outside of the angle I4 I provide a pair of hinges indicated generally at I6. Each hinge includes a leaf member I! secured tothe angle I4 and pivotally mounted by a. pintle pin I8 to ears 20 on a lower hinge leaf member I9. Arranged about each pin I8 I provide a, coiled spring ZI which has one end attached to one of the cars 20 as at 22 and the other end extended as at 23 to be in pressure contact with the angle Hi, and the construction of the spring is such that each spring normally urges the associated hinge IE to an open position so that the hinges assume the position shown in'Fig. 2.

Secured to the lower hinge plates I9 I arrange a dolly support plate 24 which extends, when in the lower position, slightly beyond the lower side of the angle I4 as at 25 (see Fig. 4). Spaced inwardly from the ends of the plate 24 and mounted thereon as by rivets 25' I provide a pair of U-shaped brackets 26 and 21 which support dollies 28 and 29.

Within the channelled portions 30 of the uprights II and I2, immediately below the cross ties I5 I arrange lifting handles 3| which are pivotally mounted to the sides of the uprights II and I2 as at 32 on pins 33. Each handle has a stop member 34 thereon which is adapted to engage the outer face of the associated cross tie member I5 when the handle is in the operative or horizontal position. The construction and arrangement of the handles 3| is such that upon being lowered they will fall by gravity to a completely retracted position within the spaces 30, as best .shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

A strap 35, mounted as at 36 at the approximate center of each cross member l5, extends downwardly and has, at its lower end, a hook 31 which is adapted to be fastened to a handle 38 mounted on the plate 24 intermediate the dollies 28 and 29, and the construction is such that when the book 31 is secured to the handle 38 the dollies will be retained in a raised position as shown in Fig. 1." This enables the angles l4 to rest on a surface and beneath the box B.

A series of pad members 40, 4! and 42 are suitably attached to the uprights II and I2 and pass over the faces of the members l3, l4 and I5 to prevent marring and scratching of the box or other article.

A pair of straps 43 and 44, having buckles 45, pass'through guide members 46 and 4'! respectively and secure the members C and D in assembled position onthe article being handled.

In operation the angles l4 of the'apparatus are forced under the box B and the straps 43 and 44 are secured in position as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 illustrates the second stage of the operation in which, after releasing the hooks 37, the handles 3| are lifted to allow the dollies to be moved beneath the box B by the action of the springs 2|. It will be seen that the box B is now in position to be moved to any desired location.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I show analternate arrangement of my invention in which all of the parts are similar to those previously described except that onerof the members I is provided with pivoted dollies each of which comprises a bracket 5|, pivoted to the plate member 24 as by a pin 52, and a wheel 53, secured to the bracket by means of a pin or axle 54. It will be seen that this arrangement will increase the mobility of the unit.

When not in use the frames will stand vertically resting upon the step portions i4 and the edges of the plates 24 in the position shown in Fig. 1.

In order to facilitate handling heavy articles being transported by my improved apparatus I show a loop member 55 secured upon each of the cross members l5. In liftin suitable hooks may engage the loop members 55.

Having thus described my invention and the present preferred embodiments thereof, I desire to emphasize'the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of'the following claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical members, a top transverse member connecting said vertical members, a bottom transverse member secured to the lower ends of said vertical members, said bottom member including a portion extending horizontally forward from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate on the bottom member for movement from a position rement from a position remote from said horizontal portion to a position beneath said horizontal portion, a pair of spaced rollers mounted on said plate, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said horizontal portion, a fiexible member having one end secured to a portion 1 of said frame and having the other end releas- ,of the frame when the handle is raised.

mote from said horizontal portion to a position 7 beneath said horizontal portion, a pair of rollers mounted on said plate, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said horizontal portion, releasable means to hold said plate remote from said horizontal portion, and a handie pivoted on each vertical member, each handle having a stop member thereon positioned to engage a portion of the frame when the handle is raised.

'2. An article'handling apparatus including a frame having spaced vertical members, an upper transverse member connecting, said vertical members, a lower transverse member secured to the lower portion of said vertical members, said lower member including a po-rtion extending horizontally forward from said frame, a 'dollysupport plate, means tohingedly support the dolly support plate on thebottom member'for move- 3. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced 7 vertical members, a top transverse member connecting said vertical members, an intermediate transverse member connecting said vertical members, a bottom transverse member secured to the" lower ends of said vertical members, said bottom member including a portion extending horizontally forward from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate on the bottom member for movement from a position remote from said horizontal portion to a position beneath said horizontal portion, a pair of brackets mounted on said plate, a roller mounted on each bracket, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said horizontal portion, a flexible member having one end secured to a portion of said frame and having the other end releasably secured to said plate, said flexible member being of a length to hold said plate remote from said horizontal portion, and arhandle pivoted on each vertical member immediately below said intermediate transverse member, each handle having a stop.

member thereon positioned'to engage a portion of the frame when the handle is raised.

4. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical channel members, a top transverse memto a position beneath said other flange, a pair of brackets mounted on said plate, a roller mounted on each bracket, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said other flange, a flexible member having one end secured to a portion of said frame and having the other end releasably secured to' said plate, said flexible member being of a' length to hold said plate in its position parallel to'and remote from said other flange, and a handle pivoted on each vertical channel member immediately'below said intermediate transverse member, each handle having a stop member thereon positioned to engage a portion of the frame when the handle is raised.

5. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical channel members, a top transverse mem-' ber connecting said vertical channel members, an lntermediate'transverse member connecting said vertical channel members, an angle member having one'fiange thereof secured to the lower ends 7 of said vertical channel members, the other flange .75

of said angle member extending horizontally forward. from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate for movement on the angle member from a position parallel to and remote from said other flange to a position beneath said other flange, a pair of brackets mounted on said plate, a roller mounted on each bracket, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said other flange, a flexible member having one end secured to said intermediate transverse member, means to releasably secure the other end of said flexible member to said plate, said flexible member being of a length to hold said plate in its position parallel to and remote from said other flange, and a handle arranged in each vertical channel member immediately below said intermediate transverse member, means to pivotally support each handle, each handle having a stop member thereon positioned to engage the intermediate transverse member when the handle is raised.

6. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical channel members, a top transverse member connecting said vertical channel members, an intermediate transverse member connecting said vertical channel members, an angle member having one flange thereof secured to the lower ends of said vertical channel members, the other flange of said angle member extending horizontally forward from said frame, padding members secured to said channel members and extending over the front face of said transverse members and the front of said one flange of the angle member, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate on the angle member for movement through at least 180 so that the plate may move from a position parallel to and remote from said other flange to a position beneath said other flange, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on said plate, a roller mounted on each bracket, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said other flange, a flexible member having one end secured to said intermediate transverse member, means to releasably secure the other end of said flexible member to said plate, said flexible member being of a length to hold said plate in a position parallel to and remote from said other flange, a handle arranged in each vertical channel member immediately below said intermediate transverse member, means to pivotally support each handle, each handle having a stop member thereon positioned to engage the intermediate transverse member when the handle is raised, and securing guide members mounted on the outer faces of said vertical channel members for securing the frame to one end of an article to be transported.

7. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical members, a top transverse member connecting said vertical members, a bottom transverse member secured to the lower ends of said vertical members, said bottom member including an article engaging portion extending forward from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate on the frame for movement from a position remote from said article engaging portion to a position beneath said article engaging portion, a pair of rollers mounted on said plate, spring means normally urging the plate to a position beneath said article engaging portion, releasable means to hold said plate remote from said article engaging portion, and a handle pivoted on each vertical member.

8. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting member having an article supporting step extending forward-therefrom and adapted to be inserted under an article the end of which is engaged by said member, a dolly support plate, means to pivotally support the dolly support plate on said member with the axis of said pivotal support being at one side and remote from said step whereby the dolly support plate may move from a position remote from said article supporting step to a position beneath said step, a pair of rollers mounted on said dolly support plate, and resilient means normally urging the dolly support plate to a position beneath said article supporting step.

9. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical members, a top and a bottom transverse member secured to said vertical members, said bottom transverse member including an article supporting portion fixed on and extending horizontally forward from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support :plate on the bottom member, the axis of said hinge support being above the plane of and remote from said article supporting portion whereby the dolly support plate may move from a position remote from said article supporting portion to a position beneath said article supporting portion, a pair of rollers mounted on said dolly support plate, resilient means normally urging the dolly support plate to a position beneath said article supporting portion, and a handle pivoted on said frame,

10. An article handling apparatus comprising a supporting frame, said frame including spaced vertical members, a top transverse member connecting said vertical members, a bottom transverse member secured to the lower ends of said vertical members, said bottom member including an article supporting portion extending horizontally forward from said frame, a dolly support plate, means to hingedly support the dolly support plate on the bottom transverse member, the axis of said hinge support being above the plane of and remote from said article supporting portion whereby, the dolly support plate may move from a position at one side of and remote from said article supporting portion to a position beneath said article supporting portion, a pair of spaced rollers mounted on said dolly support plate, resilient means normally urging the dolly support plate to a position beneath said article supporting portion, releasable means to hold said dolly support plate remote from said article supporting portion, and a handle pivoted on said frame.

RAYMOND P. WOOD. 

